Legal Provisions of Section 431 of Indian Penal Code, 1860.
Mischief by injury to public road, bridge, river or channel:
This section punishes mischief by injury to public road, bridge, river or channel. It states that whoever commits mischief by doing any act which either renders or which he knows to be likely to render any public road, bridge, navigable river or navigable channel, whether natural or artificial, either impossible or less safe for travelling or conveying property, shall be punished with simple or rigorous imprisonment for a term extending up to five years, or with fine, or with both.
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The section is attracted where mischief is committed by doing such an act which renders or which the offender knows to be likely to render any public road, bridge, navigable river, or natural or artificial navigable channel, impassable or less safe for travelling or conveying property.
The Andhra Pradesh High Court has held that where the accused put obstructions on a cart track which ran through his field and also tilled the track, he was guilty under this section.
The offence under this section is cognizable, bailable and non-compoundable, and is triable by magistrate of the first class.